'It is not so with the superior man. He speaks, having thought whether the words should be spoken; he acts, having thought whether his actions are sure to give pleasure. His virtue and righteousness are such as will be honoured; what he initiates and does is fit to be imitated; his deportment is worthy of contemplation; his movements in advancing or retiring are all according to the proper rule. In this way does he present himself to the people, who both revere and love him, imitate and become like him. Thus he is able to make his teaching of virtue successful, and his government and orders to be carried into effect[1].
'It is said in the Book of Poetry[2],
"The virtuous man, the princely one,
Has nothing wrong in his deportment."'
Chapter X. An Orderly Description of the Acts of Filial Piety.
The Master said, 'The service which a filial son does to his parents is as follows:—In his general conduct to them, he manifests the utmost reverence; in his nourishing of them, his endeavour is to give them the utmost pleasure; when they are ill, he feels the greatest anxiety; in mourning for them (dead), he exhibits every demonstration of grief; in sacrificing to them, he displays the utmost solemnity. When a son is complete in these five things (he may be pronounced) able to serve his parents.
- ↑ This paragraph may be called a mosaic, formed by piecing together passages from the Zo Kwan.
- ↑ See the Shih, I, xiv, ode 3, stanza 3.
